9 of the best face creams to suit every skin type and budget
How do I choose the best moisturiser?
Look for hydrating ingredients such as ceramides, squalane and hyaluronic acid, as well as barrier builders like niacinamide. You should also take your skin type into consideration and choose the right consistency. If you have oily skin, a water-gel base might be more suitable than a thick cream that’s made for dry skin.There are moisturisers for every skin type and budget. Whether you want to save or splurge, have dry or oily skin, we’ve found the best moisturiser for you.
The best moisturisers to have in 2023
The Ordinary
Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA, £12.80
Best moisturiser under £10
Not only does this formula get our vote on price, but it is also the best moisturiser for oily skin. The lightweight gel texture glides on and absorbs quickly without leaving your skin feeling sticky or greasy. If your skin is at the other end of the spectrum, BYOMA Moisturising Rich Cream, £14.00 is the best budget moisturiser for dry skin in our opinion. A little more expensive, but definitely worth it for the smoother, softer finish.
BYOMA
Moisturising Gel Sunscreen, £15.00
Best moisturiser under £20
You might be surprised to learn that there is a moisturiser with SPF 30 and hydrating hyaluronic acid and beta glucan for less than £20, but the folks at Byoma have made it possible. This nourishing formula melts into skin quickly without leaving an ashy white finish. While we still recommend applying your usual SPF on top, this is one of our favourite moisturisers for all year round.
NATURIUM
Multi-peptide Moisturizer, £21.00
Best moisturiser under £30
Naturium Multi Peptide Moisturizer is such a good all-round face cream. Whether you have dry or combination skin, the peptide-packed formula will leave your skin feeling soft and bouncy. It also contains vitamin C to help smooth out fine lines and brighten your complexion.
Paula's Choice
Resist Hydrating Fluid SPF50, £39.00
Best moisturiser under £40
Loaded with antioxidants and broad-spectrum SPF 50, this lightweight moisturiser from Paula’s Choice is a great option for dry and combination skin types. The formula includes glycerin to hydrate and green tea to soothe and calm. We find our tinted moisturiser sits well on top of this satin-finish moisturiser too.
Murad
Clarifying Oil-Free Water Gel, £49.00
Best moisturiser under £50
This is the best moisturiser for acne-prone skin and Murad’s formula gives you change from £50. Being oil-free makes this face cream good for oily and acne-prone skin, but what we love most is how lightweight the texture is. Those with oily and acne-prone skin often find moisturisers are too heavy, but this one is featherlight yet packed with hydrating ingredients.
Drunk Elephant
Lala Retro Whipped Cream, £58.00
Best moisturiser under £60
When the topic of Drunk Elephant moisturisers comes up, Protini Polypeptide Cream is usually the first product to spring to mine, but the Lala Retro Whipped Cream shouldn’t be overlooked. Jam-packed with ceramides, this is one of the best moisturisers for dry skin, as well as sensitive skin.
Tatcha
The Dewy Skin Cream, £67.00
Best moisturiser under £70
Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream needs no introduction. The creamy formula contains hyaluronic acid and Okinawa algae which work together to help hydrate and plump your skin, leaving it with the most gorgeous dewy finish. If you have dry skin, this is definitely a moisturiser worth exploring as the formula tops up hydration levels and eradicates dullness almost instantly.
MZ SKIN
Hydrate & Nourish Age Defence Retinol Day Moisturiser SPF 30 , £110.00
Best luxury moisturiser with SPF
Of course Dr Maryam Zamani’s face cream includes retinol and SPF. London’s leading oculoplastic surgeon and facial aesthetics doctor included an encapsulated retinol to help boost collagen production, while also providing factor 30 protection. The texture of this cream is every bit as luxurious as a £95 moisturiser should be and it melts into skin, leaving it feeling baby soft.
Augustinus Bader
The Rich Cream, £145.00
Best luxury moisturiser
Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream is a firm favourite with Space NK customers, especially those with dry skin as the formula is incredibly nourishing. The formula also contains Augustinus Bader’s signature Trigger Factor Complex, which promises to fend off premature fine lines and wrinkles, alongside argan, avocado and evening primrose oils.
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